Nawaki

"Yamamura Jushi! Come up for your exam!"

"Hyuga Shiro! Come up for your exam!"

"Inuzuka Saburo! Come up for your exam!"

The classroom had been cleared out, with three desks placed at the front. Three examiners watched the students.

They were all teachers from the academy and the examiners responsible for this test.

Their usual smiles were nowhere to be seen. Every face was solemn.

"The exam is moving pretty quickly."

Standing by the window, You could see what was happening inside. From the looks of it, the Three Body Technique tests were assigned at random. Which one you drew depended entirely on luck.

Not every student could master all three techniques. Some lucky ones managed to pass purely by chance.

Fortunately, genin only carried out C-rank missions, so their lives would not be in danger. It was a period of adjustment for newly promoted genin.

Minato Namikaze stood in front of You. Even though he had mastered the Three Body Technique proficiently, he could not help feeling nervous as the exam approached. He swallowed and said, "That idiot Ida's transformation didn't look anything like the real thing."

"As long as there aren't any major mistakes, he'll pass."

Kushina squeezed between them, took a glance inside, and drew a deep breath.

"I hope we'll end up on the same team."

The exam was not a problem for the three of them. They could all pass, but Kushina did not want to be separated from Minato. She prayed inwardly that Minato Namikaze would become Tsunade's disciple so the three of them could continue carrying out missions together.

"Let's see how luck treats us."

You knew that was impossible. Kushina and he might be assigned to Tsunade's team, but Minato Namikaze was destined to follow Jiraiya.

Soon, it was their turn.

Facing his most outstanding student, Qianshu had originally wanted to cheer him on. But remembering yesterday's class-skipping incident, he merely snorted and said, "Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique, and Clone Technique. Draw lots."

"Yes, Teacher Qianshu."

You drew a card from the box. It was the Clone Technique, the one he knew best. Having already learned the Shadow Clone, this was easy for You.

He formed hand seals with both hands. A puff of white smoke appeared, and an identical copy of You emerged before him.

"No problems. You pass."

"Congratulations, Uchiha Yū. You are now a qualified genin. Here is your forehead protector. Starting today, you are a Konoha ninja."

"Come to the academy this afternoon. Your squad leader will come pick you up."

The exam went smoothly, and all three quickly completed their tests.

The exams were held in the morning, and they were to return to the academy in the afternoon to meet their squad leaders. The Ninja Academy's arrangements were swift.

From this moment on, You was a qualified ninja.

The three did not leave the academy. The main event of the day was only just beginning, and many students from other classes had also passed their exams.

Naturally, some failed their studies and could only remain students of the Ninja Academy.

"Minato! You look so handsome wearing that forehead protector."

Kushina personally tied the forehead protector around Minato's head, leaving Uchiha Yū dumbfounded beside them. Another wave of damn lovey-dovey nonsense!

He did not stay by their side. You had no interest in being a third wheel.

He went alone to the second floor, where several newly graduated ninjas leaned against the railing.

"The Ninja Academy is so lively today. Look, ninjas have already arrived at the gate. They must be our squad leaders."

"I hope I don't get some weird senior! Especially not someone from the Aburame Clan. I'm scared of bugs."

"Huh? What did our Aburame Clan ever do to you? Seriously!"

Following their gazes, You looked down and indeed saw jonin arriving.

There were distinctions even among jonin. Ordinary students would be assigned elite chunin or special jonin.

Only geniuses would be given elite jonin as teachers.

"I hope Lady Tsunade doesn't treat me like a lab rat."

Those close to the water got the moonlight first. Tsunade had been eyeing his body for a long time. After a year of research, she still had not found any differences, which drove her mad.

She had even begun to suspect that You was deliberately messing with her.

Just as Uchiha Yū was observing the surroundings, he suddenly saw Tsunade enter from nearby. This time, however, he noticed a man beside her.

"Heh heh, look what I found. Lady Tsunade's secret lover! Dan Kato!"

They were still keeping their relationship secret at this stage. Uchiha Yū only glanced at them and did not pay much attention.

He remembered that in the original story, Dan Kato was severely wounded and died during a mission. It had been an utterly tragic event.

But Uchiha Yū did not know which mission Dan Kato had died on.

Tsunade's arrival ignited the atmosphere. Many people knew her great name.

"I hope I can become Lady Tsunade's disciple."

"Dream on. With your talent, there's no way you can become Lady Tsunade's disciple."

"I think among us, only You can become Lady Tsunade's disciple."

Many people looked at You enviously. They had heard that You often went to the hospital for treatment, and Tsunade personally examined him every time.

Moreover, You had been able to leave his wheelchair thanks to Tsunade's help. Many people envied him for that.

"If you also want to lie in a wheelchair for years like a cripple, you can become Lady Tsunade's disciple too."

You said it deliberately, instantly deflating several dissatisfied boys. Thinking of Uchiha Yū's miserable condition in the past, many wondered whether they could have endured it themselves.

"Hmph, you're celebrating too early. He might not become Lady Tsunade's disciple after all."

"If he becomes Lady Tsunade's disciple just because he was sick, then he got in through the back door. That's the most shameful way."

As a group of people slandered Uchiha Yū, someone rushed out from behind them. He wore a ninja forehead protector, had gray hair, and bore a fifty-percent resemblance to Tsunade. He immediately shot back, "My sister isn't that kind of person! You was already a genius to begin with, so why can't he become my sister's disciple?"

"As for you lot, you'll never become my sister's disciples."

At home, Nawaki often heard his sister praise You. Combined with You's talent at the academy, Nawaki had developed a favorable impression of him.

Nawaki also refused to believe that Tsunade would open the back door for him.

Someone recognized Nawaki's identity. When it came to Konoha's young master, no one chose to argue back.

The few children who had been shouting earlier hid behind the crowd, afraid of being noticed.

"Thanks, Nawaki."

You occasionally saw Nawaki at the hospital, and they had spoken before. Their relationship was somewhat closer than that of ordinary classmates.

"It's nothing, You. If anyone dares badmouth you again, come find me!"

People might dare gossip about You, but no one dared gossip about Nawaki.

As the exams neared their end, many ninjas arrived outside. Everyone realized that the next stage would begin soon.

After finishing their exams, the students immediately returned to the classroom and waited calmly for the choice that would determine their fates.